The Book of the Courtier
The Book of the Courtier, published in Venice in 1528, records four evenings of conversation at the court of Urbino in 1507, when Baldassare Castiglione served there. Under the eye of the Duchess Elisabetta Gonzaga, a company that includes Pietro Bembo and Giuliano de' Medici debates what makes the perfect courtier: his birth, his arms, his learning, his grace in speech and the quality Castiglione calls sprezzatura, the art of making difficult things look easy. The third book turns to the ideal court lady, the fourth to the courtier's duty of guiding his prince and ends with Bembo's speech on Platonic love. Leonard Eckstein Opdycke's translation of 1901 is supplied with notes on every speaker. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Book of the Courtier
The Book of the Courtier by Baldassarre Castiglione can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Book of the Courtier online?
Yes. The Book of the Courtier opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Book of the Courtier free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Book of the Courtier is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Book of the Courtier in the public domain?
Yes. The Book of the Courtier by Baldassarre Castiglione is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Leonard Eckstein Opdycke. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Book of the Courtier?
About 12 h 44 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Book of the Courtier?
The Book of the Courtier by Baldassarre Castiglione is filed under "History" in the Vinteuil library.
